The Infiniti M35 is a car for connoisseurs, an assemblage of finely tuned parts that deliver a sublime driving experience without any flashy spoilers, wings, or decorative tape. The M35 is not the sort of car that impresses everybody, but it does impress the right somebodies.

Built around Nissan’s FM architecture that puts the engine behind the front-axle line, the first advantage the M35 has over its V-8–powered M45 brother is a slightly lighter curb weight and slightly less of that weight over the front wheels. This leads to a lighter steering feel, even if there isn’t much difference in the way the car sticks on a skidpad or caroms through slalom cones.

The M35’s second advantage is that it’s powered by a 3.5-liter version of Nissan’s justly famed VQ engine family, rated at 303 hp. The M45’s 4.5-liter V-8 offers only 23 more horses, and the M35’s powerplant never feels strained or compromised in any way and boasts an eager personality missing in many other luxury V-6s.

But the big advantage here is price, with the 2009 M35 starting at $46,615 and going up modestly when options such as the Sport package are ordered—the M45 starts at $52,965. For people who know how well the M35 drives, that it does so at a keen price makes it that much more impressive.

Ideal Buyer: The guy who sets low times at the local gymkhana and also has a thriving dental practice.